Prague History

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Prague is one of Europe’s historic cities. Its settlers easily defended it as its elevation and natural conditions made it favorable for defense. Soil was fertile and water was plentiful. It was during the Stone Age that it was started to be inhabited by hunting parties. Prague’s richness in prehistoric Central European cultures had been recorded by archaeologists. Much more Prague information can be read below.

Prague in its birth

Slavs and Germans used to hold residence in the prehistoric Prague until the Slavs outnumbered the Germans and established colonies. The Slavs later on settled in a hilltop where the Prague Castle now stands. It is here Prague history was unveiled.

In 880 and 890, settlers of Prague declared the city the permanent seat of the princes of Premyslid. New settlements were established at the foot of the castle hill and this is due to convergence of trade routes from both side of the Vltava river. Besides the Prague Castle, another seat of principality was Vysehrad. Medieval Prague soon put up a large marketplace known today as the Old Town Square or Staromestske namesti

The towns of Prague

The Old Town continued to grow even when Premysl Otakar II established in 1257 Prague’s Smaller Town or Mensi Mesto which was later renamed Lesser Town or Mala Strana. This primarily settled on by colonists from northern Germany. Hradcany, Prague’s third town was setup in the 1330’s for subjects of Prague Castle’s burgrave.

Setting up the fourth town was aimed to promote Prague as a second Rome by Charles IV of the Luxembourg family. The family acquired the Czech throne at that time. Pope Clement VI promoted Prague’s status from diocese to archdiocese. Charles IV founded Prague’s New Town or Nove Mesto in 1348. In that same year, the oldest university in Central Europe was built.

Prague’s historical height

It was during the reign of Emperor that is considered the greatest historical period of Prague. The city was made the center of European politics, art and science. Prague became the seat of Hapsburg until it was returned to Vienna by the successor of Rudolph II– Emperor Matthias. The empire had international clique of artists that developed European Mannerism

A growing city

Eventually, new towns were established in Prague. These include Karlin, Liben, Holesovice, Smichov, Kralovske Vinohrady, Zizkov, and others. The city began to be modernized until Prague has earned its reputation of being a point of modern European architecture. Prague’s growth of surface and population was attributed to the Law of Greater Prague of 1920 that allowed expansion of the city and incorporation of other nearby towns and citizens.

This Prague introduction may not be exhaustive but it might give you some idea how the city has grown into what it is now. Nothing beats first-hand information so it would be well suggested to ask locals of Prague about their city when you get there.